AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting (Day)

About this course

This qualification delivers a solid foundation in finance administration and core accounting skills, including double-entry bookkeeping, basic costing and an understanding of purchase, sales and general ledgers.

Students will also learn about accountancy related business and personal skills and be introduced to the four key themes embedded in the qualification: ethics, technology, communications and sustainability.

You will work through the units online and receive assessments as you progress.

You will be booked into exams at the end of the course,

What will the course involve?

This unit provides students with an understanding of manual and digital bookkeeping systems, including the associated documents and processes. Students will learn the basic principles that underpin double-entry bookkeeping systems.

Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 25%.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand how to set up bookkeeping systems.
• Process customer transactions.
• Process supplier transactions.
• Process receipts and payments.
• Process transactions into the ledger accounts.

Principles of Bookkeeping Controls

This unit builds on the knowledge and skills acquired from studying Introduction to Bookkeeping and explores control accounts, journals and reconciliations. Students will develop the ability to prepare the value added tax (VAT) control accounts as well as the receivables and payables ledger accounts. They'll use the journal to record a variety of transactions, including the correction errors. Students will be able to redraft the initial trial balance, following adjustments.

Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 25%.

Learning outcomes:

• Use control accounts.
• Reconcile a bank statement with the cash book.
• Use the journal.
• Produce trial balances.

Principles of Costing

This unit gives students an introduction to the principles of basic costing and builds a solid foundation in the knowledge and skills required for more complex costing and management accounting tasks. Students will learn the importance of the costing system as a source of information that allows management to plan, make decisions and control costs.

Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 20%.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the cost recording system within an organisation.
• Use cost recording techniques.
• Provide information on actual and budgeted cost and income.
• Use tools and techniques to support cost calculations.

The Business Environment

This unit provides knowledge and understanding of key business concepts and their practical application in the external and internal environment in which students will work. Students will gain an understanding of the legal system and principles of contract law and an appreciation of the legal implications of setting up a business and the consequences this may have. This unit will also give an understanding of how organisations are structured and where the finance function fits.

Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 30%.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the principles of contract law.
• Understand the external business environment.
• Understand the key principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethics and sustainability.
• Understand the impact of setting up different types of business entity.
• Understand the finance function within an organisation.
• Produce work in appropriate formats and communicate effectively.
• Understand the importance of information to business operations.

What qualifications will I need?

Students can start with any qualification depending on existing skills and experience. For the best chance of success we recommend that students begin their studies with a good standard of English and maths.

How much will the course cost?

Additional Costs

You may need to purchase a textbook, but will be advised of this at the start of the course by your tutor. Costs in the region of £10 - £20.

Course fee includes exam fees.  AAT Membership - £40.

Students are allocated a certain amount of free printing, after which a small fee will be incurred.

All students will be subject to a £25 registration fee per academic year

AAT Bursary

Bursary may be available if you meet the criteria. 

Applications will be re-opening in early 2025. 

Check if you're eligible and register your interest.